Employers would be required to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment under new legislation.
The federal government’s Respect@Work Bill seeks to implement more of the landmark Respect@Work report recommendations.
The proposed legislation would place a “positive duty” requiring employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent workplace sexual harassment – a move welcomed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
The duty also covers third parties meaning employers are obligated to protect workers from sexual harassment from customers, clients or others present in the workplace.
The ACTU said the move was critical to avoid relying solely on victims to report harassment, particularly when only 17% of victims of sexual harassment feel safe in coming forward.
